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Owner of collapsed gold mine arrested

Rescuers have been struggling to gain access to the cave due to the terrain.- Photo baohoabinh.vn HÒA BÌNH – Police in the northern province of Hòa Bình have arrested the owner of an illegal gold mine that collapsed on Sunday leaving two people missing. At about 2am on Sunday, the mouth of the mine in Thanh Nông Commune collapsed and trapped two miners inside. Rescuers have been struggling to gain access to the cave due to the terrain. Vice chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyễn Văn Chương said at a press conference yesterday that forces and equipment had been mobilised to search for the missing people. Chairman of Lạc Thủy District’s People’s Committee Quách Tất Liêm said that local authorities had already fined Bạch Xuân Hưng, the owner, for illegal gold mining, but he had continued regardless. In early October, authorities in Thanh Nông Commune began removing tents and equipment from the mining site, but the work was hampered by a landslide on a nearby road. Taking advantage of this period, Hưng resumed his gold mining activities at night. Presenting further details, deputy director of the provincial Department of Public Security Col. Nguyễn Thành said that miners working illegally under Hưng’s direction may have buried some equipment to hide the evidence of their violations. Police are considering pressing criminal proceedings in the case. – VNS